MonDog Mission

The original guardian of the Montrose Beach Dog Friendly Area, MonDog's mission is to ensure Chicago residents and their canine friends have a fun, clean, and safe beach experience. A completely volunteer organization, MonDog endeavors to represent the dog beach community with an emphasis on owner participation and responsibility. MonDog is committed to the ongoing preservation and improvement of Montrose Dog Beach through owner education, volunteer support, and community partnerships. Please show your support by making a generous donation to MonDog today. MonDog does not share or distribute members info, or send spam to our email list.

We just want to warn folks that the Chicago Police Department is starting to issue warning tickets about parking violations in the lot adjacent to the dog beach. We assume that this could lead to real parking tickets being issued.

Members of the Chicago Police Department have been handing out fliers in the vicinity of the dog beach that look like the ones shown below. They have also advised individuals that they may be giving out tickets to people that fail to obey the law.

Montrose Dog Beach was founded on a simple premise: “There is enough beach for everyone.” While our community has grown tremendously over the years, we believe the sentiment still holds true. We all love our slice of shoreline, but what many may not know is that the beach to our southeastern border is equally treasured by many species of birds and a large community of birders and nature lovers.

Unfortunately, the birders and nature lovers frequently contend with dogs that are illegally on both the main portion of the beach and in the two natural areas, Montrose Beach Dunes and Montrose Point. Dogs are not allowed in any of those areas whether leashed or unleashed.

The result, as the photo from a local birder shows, can be fatal for migratory birds that use the beach to rest and feed after long and exhausting migrations. Dogs are also a danger to the 11 bird species that nest at Montrose Beach. We’re sharing the stark photo of a Stilt Sandpiper, a rare bird for Montrose that was killed this past month by a dog that was on the beach illegally, to emphasize the importance of being thoughtful neighbors by only allowing dogs where they are permitted and always keeping dogs on-leash outside Montrose Dog Beach.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely part of the majority of people who love setting their pup free inside the dog beach, and then considerately leashes them on your way in and out. So we’re asking for your help to spread the word - both digitally and in person.

In short, DOGS MUST ALWAYS BE LEASHED OUTSIDE OF THE DOG BEACH, AND NO DOGS, LEASHED OR NOT, ARE EVER PERMITTED ON THE REST OF MONTROSE BEACH OR IN THE TWO MONTROSE NATURAL AREAS. Violators can be fined up to $500 by the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Animal Care and Control.

Thanks for your continued help keeping the beach safe, clean and fun for everyone.